US6415951B2 - Device and method for selling foodstuffs - Google Patents

Device and method for selling foodstuffs Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US6415951B2
US6415951B2 US09/766,706 US76670601A US6415951B2 US 6415951 B2 US6415951 B2 US 6415951B2 US 76670601 A US76670601 A US 76670601A US 6415951 B2 US6415951 B2 US 6415951B2
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
cabinet
product carrier
product
foodstuff
carriage
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
US09/766,706
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
US20010006693A1 (en
Inventor
Jacobus Petrus Maria Dessing
Mattijn Godewijn DeGraaf
Pieter Adriaan Oosterling
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
RFA PATENT BV
Foodcorner International BV
Original Assignee
Foodcorner International BV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Foodcorner International BV filed Critical Foodcorner International BV
Assigned to FOODCORNER INTERNATIONAL B.V. reassignment FOODCORNER INTERNATIONAL B.V. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: OOSTERLING, PIETER ADRIAAN, DEGRAAT, MATTIJN GODEWIJN, DESSING, JACOBUS PETRUS MARIA
Publication of US20010006693A1 publication Critical patent/US20010006693A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US6415951B2 publication Critical patent/US6415951B2/en
Assigned to R.F.A PATENT B.V. reassignment R.F.A PATENT B.V. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: DIKKER, MR. DRS. J.P.
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/0064—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for processing of food articles
    • G07F17/0078—Food articles which need to be processed for dispensing in a hot or cooked condition, e.g. popcorn, nuts
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F11/00—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles
    • G07F11/66—Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles in which the articles are dispensed by cutting from a mass
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F9/00—Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus
    • G07F9/10—Casings or parts thereof, e.g. with means for heating or cooling
    • G07F9/105—Heating or cooling means, for temperature and humidity control, for the conditioning of articles and their storage

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • a device of this nature is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,941.
  • the drawback of the known device is that it is necessary to stop dispensing foodstuffs when the device is being stocked up. This is because stocking up involves taking empty product carriers out of the storage rack and replacing them with product carriers which are filled with foodstuff. In doing so, the cabinet has to be opened, so that the interior of the cabinet is accessible. During this time, the conveyor means are stopped and blocked, since otherwise the operator can come into contact with the moving conveyor means, resulting in the possibility of injury. While the conveyor means are at a standstill and the cabinet is open, the device cannot be used, which is undesirable. In order to prevent this drawback, the device is designed according to the characterizing part of claim 1 (application claim 12). Since the cabinet remains closed, the conveyor means can continue to function more or less without interference in any situation while exchanging empty product carriers and filled product carriers.
  • the device is designed according to claim 2 (application claim 13).
  • the device is designed according to claim 3 (application claim 14).
  • application claim 14 By making the opening no larger than the smallest dimensions of a product carrier, it is possible to introduce the product carrier with the foodstuff into the cabinet while scarcely any cooled air escapes.
  • the separating means is designed according to claim 7 (application claim 18).
  • application claim 18 By providing the separating means with a buffer, it is possible for the separating means to operate without interruption and without having to wait for the supply or removal of the products carriers by the conveyor means. It is also possible for the conveyor means to supply and take away product carriers while the separating means are busy with one product carrier. This makes the device more efficient in use.
  • the invention also comprises a method for stocking up a device according to the invention, as described in claim 9 (application claim 21).
  • application claim 21 By using the conveyor device in the cabinet for taking the product carriers out of the cabinet, it is possible to achieve a rapid and efficient method.
  • control unit By providing the control unit with information relating to the introduced product carrier and the foodstuff during the introduction of a product carrier, errors relating to the characteristics of the articles present in the device are eliminated as far as possible.
  • FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic plan view of a cabinet for dispensing foodstuff, such as meat products
  • FIG. 2 shows the rear view, with the door open, of the cabinet shown in FIG. 1, and
  • FIG. 3 shows a diagrammatic cross section through the cabinet shown in FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 1 shows a device for dispensing meat products as is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,941.
  • a cabinet 1 a has insulating walls 4 , an insulting door 8 and an insulating window 3 .
  • the top side and underside of the cabinet are also insulated, and all further necessary measures are taken, so that a temperature of approximately ⁇ 2° C. can be maintained in the cabinet.
  • the internal walls of the cabinet and floor are of smooth design, so that they are easy to clean when the equipment has been removed from the cabinet.
  • a storage rack 6 is disposed in the cabinet 1 a.
  • Product carriers 5 are located next to and above one another in the storage rack 6 , in such a manner that the foodstuff V which is attached to the product carriers 5 can be seen through the window 3 .
  • a conveyor device 7 is positioned parallel to the storage rack 6 , with a carriage 9 by means of which the product carriers 5 can be taken out of the storage rack 6 and can be conveyed to a cutting device 20 (cf. in this respect the description associated with FIG. 2 ). Under the influence of a control unit 17 (cf. FIG. 2 ), the carriage 9 moves between the various positions in the cabinet 1 a. Foodstuff V which is to be cut off, such as for example meat products, is positioned on the product carriers 5 .
  • the door 8 of the cabinet 1 a is provided with an opening 12 which can be closed off by means of an insulating hatch 10 .
  • An introduction carriage 11 may be arranged on the door 8 at the location of the opening 12 , with the aid of which carriage product carriers 5 can be taken from the carriage 9 and, when they have been filled, placed back on the carriage 9 .
  • the introduction carriage 11 is provided with a blocking means 27 , which is coupled to the control unit 17 .
  • a keyboard 13 is arranged next to the opening 12 .
  • a detector 26 for detecting objects which are inserted through the opening 12 into the cabinet and therefore into the path of the conveyor device 7 is arranged on the inside of the door 8 , in the vicinity of the opening 12 . If objects are detected, the control unit 17 is notified of this and the conveyor device 7 is stopped.
  • the detector 26 may be designed as a light screen, or possibly as a door with a switch.
  • FIG. 1 In the device shown in FIG. 1, two more or less identical cabinets 1 a and 1 b are shown, with a dispensing station 2 next to them.
  • a person wishing to order foodstuff V gives his/her order to the control unit 17 via a control panel 24 .
  • the foodstuff V such as for example meat products
  • the meat products are then packaged in a packaging unit 14 and are delivered to the user via a dispensing chute 15 .
  • FIG. 2 shows the rear side of the cabinet 1 a, with the door 8 open and the conveyor device 7 removed. This is easy, since the latter is on wheels. It is possible to see the product carriers 5 which lie in storage racks 6 (not indicated) with the foodstuff V thereon. Narrow product carriers 5 b are located in the top of the cabinet, and wide product carriers 5 a are located in the bottom of the cabinet.
  • the cutting device 20 is positioned beneath the storage rack 6 with the product carriers 5 , and is shown holding a product carrier 5 which has been moved into a cutting position 21 .
  • the cutting device 20 In connection with cleaning work, it is necessary for it to be possible to take the cutting device 20 out of the cabinet, and to this end the cutting device is on wheels.
  • the cutting device 20 In order to enable the conveyor device 7 to supply or take away product carriers 5 during the cutting operation, the cutting device 20 is provided with an introduction buffer 18 with one or two storage positions for product carriers 5 , a removal buffer 19 , likewise with one or two positions for the product carrier 5 , and a manipulator 25 for putting the product carriers 5 into the cutting device 20 or removing them therefrom.
  • the conveyor device 7 places a product carrier 5 into the introduction buffer 18 , and then this product carrier is placed into the cutting device 20 by the manipulator 25 , and the desired quantity of foodstuff V is cut off. Then, the product carrier 5 is placed into the removal buffer 19 by the manipulator 25 . The conveyor device 7 moves the product carrier 5 out of the removal buffer 19 to its storage position or, in the event of a repeat order, back into the introduction buffer 18 . The foodstuff which has been cut off is conveyed to the dispensing station 2 by the conveyor belt 16 .
  • the introduction buffer 18 and the removal buffer 19 may also be combined to form, for example, a paternoster, by means of which the product carriers 5 are conveyed in steps towards and away from cutting position 21 and are placed in the cutting position, for example by the manipulator 25 .
  • FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view through the cabinet 1 a, with the carriage 9 of the conveyor device 7 located in front of the introduction carriage 11 , so that a product carrier 5 can be introduced.
  • the introduction carriage 11 is supported by a support 23 .
  • a cooling unit 22 with which the temperature in the cabinet can be kept at approximately ⁇ 2° C., is diagrammatically depicted beneath the conveyor device 7 .
  • the cooling unit 22 is on wheels. If appropriate, the cooling unit is provided with a fan and with means for removing or preventing frost.
  • the door 8 can remain closed, as the foodstuff V is introduced via the small opening 12 , it is possible for the capacity of the cooling unit 22 to be limited. Since a low temperature ⁇ 2° C. is maintained in the cabinet 1 with a high atmospheric humidity, the temperature difference between the cooling surface of the cooler 22 and the cabinet must be limited to a few degrees Celsius. The cooling surface of the cooler 22 must therefore be very large and is at least 1.5 times to twice the size of the surface of the walls of the cabinet.
  • the device is preferably filled during normal operation. After the hatch 10 has been opened and the introduction carriage 11 has been positioned in front of the opening 12 , the operator calls up a product carrier 5 which is to be filled by inputting a command to the control unit 17 . The carriage 9 then positions an empty product carrier 5 in front of the introduction carriage 11 , under the influence of the control unit 17 . The operator removes this product carrier 5 from the cabinet 1 a, if appropriate using a special removal tool, after which the conveyor device 7 , following this brief interruption, can again operate normally, and the dispensing of foodstuff V can continue without interruption.
  • the introduction carriage 11 is provided with a blocking means 27 which is operated by the control unit 17 , so that the product carrier 5 cannot be pushed into the cabinet if the conveyor device 7 is not ready and, for example, the carriage 9 is at the correct position.
  • the keyboard 13 is used to input which foodstuff V has been placed on the product carrier 5 , and also, for example, its price and any other relevant information.
  • the width of the product carrier 5 is also input, so that it is possible to monitor whether a storage position for this width is still free in the cabinet.
  • the conveyor device 7 is activated.
  • the introduction blocking is eliminated and the product carrier 5 can be introduced into the cabinet 1 a.
  • the width of the product carrier is also checked, in order to ensure that the data were input correctly and in order to prevent faults.
  • the introduction carriage 11 is arranged on the rear side of the cabinets 1 a and 1 b, with the conveyor device 7 positioned between the introduction carriage 11 and the storage rack 6 .
  • the introduction carriage 11 it is also possible to arrange the introduction carriage 11 on the front side and, for example, to allow it to form part of the storage rack 6 .
  • an opening is made on the front side of the cabinet for introduction and removal of the product carriers 5 , the latter being pushed directly into the introduction carriage in the storage rack 6 .
  • An alternative design involves integrating the hatch 10 , the introduction carriage 11 and the support 23 , so that the hatch 10 is at the same time the support for the introduction of product carriers and, for example, the hinges are arranged on the underside of the hatch 10 .
  • a cutting device 20 is incorporated in the exemplary embodiment described above.
  • different separating means will be arranged in the cabinet instead of a cutting device 20 .
  • a plastic tray which is supplied with suitable means, is filled by means of an automatic scoop device.
  • the cooling unit 22 described above which is positioned in the bottom of the cabinet as a separate module, may also be positioned on the cabinet. It is also possible, for example, to design the walls as cooling plates, and if appropriate flash evaporators may also be used, or else the cooling system may be arranged in the top of the cabinet. In addition to cooling, it is also possible to provide other measures in order to obtain a suitable atmosphere in the cabinet 1 . Consideration must be given to means for controlling the humidity or means for supplying special gases, such as carbon dioxide, alcohol vapours and the like.
  • the control unit 17 is shown as a module in the bottom of the cabinet 1 a. However, it is also possible to accommodate the control unit in a separate switch box which is connected to the various components of the device by means of cables.
  • the control unit interacts, in a known way, with the sensors, motors, encoders and the like which are present in the cabinets 1 a, 1 b and 2 in order to correctly execute the orders input on the control panels and all further operations which are required for maintenance of the device, such as for example the above-described operation of filling the device.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Warehouses Or Storage Devices (AREA)
  • Vending Machines For Individual Products (AREA)
US09/766,706 1998-07-22 2001-01-22 Device and method for selling foodstuffs Expired - Fee Related US6415951B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL1009715A NL1009715C2 (nl) 1998-07-22 1998-07-22 Inrichting en werkwijze voor het verkopen van voedingsmiddelen.
NL1009715 1998-07-22
PCT/NL1999/000433 WO2000005690A1 (en) 1998-07-22 1999-07-07 Device and method for selling foodstuffs

Related Parent Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
NLPCT/NL99/004433 Continuation 1999-07-07
PCT/NL1999/000443 Continuation WO2000002822A1 (en) 1998-07-10 1999-07-12 Method and apparatus for processing a watery substance with zeolites

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20010006693A1 US20010006693A1 (en) 2001-07-05
US6415951B2 true US6415951B2 (en) 2002-07-09

Family

ID=19767545

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/766,706 Expired - Fee Related US6415951B2 (en) 1998-07-22 2001-01-22 Device and method for selling foodstuffs

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US6415951B2 (de)
EP (1) EP1099198B1 (de)
AT (1) ATE304196T1 (de)
DE (1) DE69927161T2 (de)
NL (1) NL1009715C2 (de)
WO (1) WO2000005690A1 (de)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20090212067A1 (en) * 2005-06-23 2009-08-27 Walters Hales, JR. Apparatus and method for marketing products, distributing product samples and capturing consumer personal data
US20110054673A1 (en) * 2009-08-27 2011-03-03 Utique, Inc. Modular vending with centralized robotic gantry
US20120116577A1 (en) * 2004-05-19 2012-05-10 Frank Ottomanelli Automated food service system for remote recreational facilities
US20140089077A1 (en) * 2012-09-21 2014-03-27 Coinstar, Inc. Consumer operated kiosks for purchasing fresh foods and associated systems and methods
US9443372B2 (en) 2009-08-27 2016-09-13 Utique, Inc. Inventory storage and dispensing mechanism

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2022234509A1 (en) * 2021-05-06 2022-11-10 Twb S.R.L. Vending machine for food products and the like
IT202100021617A1 (it) * 2021-08-10 2023-02-10 Twb S R L Macchina distributrice di prodotti alimentari e simili.

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3412900A1 (de) 1984-04-05 1985-10-17 TEPRO-Präzisionstechnik GmbH, 7742 St Georgen Speiseautomat
US4823984A (en) * 1986-04-30 1989-04-25 Unidynamics Corporation Container storage and dispensing apparatus and vending machine for dispensing refrigerated, unrefrigerated and/or heated foods
US5025950A (en) 1990-01-16 1991-06-25 Hobart Corporation Apparatus for storing and dispensing frozen comestibles
US5097986A (en) 1989-04-17 1992-03-24 Deutsche Wurlitzer Gmbh Vending machine
US5247798A (en) * 1993-01-19 1993-09-28 Elwood H. Carpenter Portable refrigerator
US5499707A (en) 1995-01-31 1996-03-19 Compu-Shop, Inc. Automated merchandising kiosk
DE19650394A1 (de) 1996-12-05 1998-06-10 Schako Metallwarenfabrik Einrichtung zur Ausgabe von gekühlten Lebensmitteln

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL9001804A (nl) 1990-08-10 1992-03-02 Veroost Bedrijfsontwikkeling B Inrichting voor het in een winkel voor verkoop gekoeld opslaan van aan bederf onderhevige voedingsmiddelen.

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3412900A1 (de) 1984-04-05 1985-10-17 TEPRO-Präzisionstechnik GmbH, 7742 St Georgen Speiseautomat
US4823984A (en) * 1986-04-30 1989-04-25 Unidynamics Corporation Container storage and dispensing apparatus and vending machine for dispensing refrigerated, unrefrigerated and/or heated foods
US5097986A (en) 1989-04-17 1992-03-24 Deutsche Wurlitzer Gmbh Vending machine
US5025950A (en) 1990-01-16 1991-06-25 Hobart Corporation Apparatus for storing and dispensing frozen comestibles
US5247798A (en) * 1993-01-19 1993-09-28 Elwood H. Carpenter Portable refrigerator
US5499707A (en) 1995-01-31 1996-03-19 Compu-Shop, Inc. Automated merchandising kiosk
DE19650394A1 (de) 1996-12-05 1998-06-10 Schako Metallwarenfabrik Einrichtung zur Ausgabe von gekühlten Lebensmitteln

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20120116577A1 (en) * 2004-05-19 2012-05-10 Frank Ottomanelli Automated food service system for remote recreational facilities
US20090212067A1 (en) * 2005-06-23 2009-08-27 Walters Hales, JR. Apparatus and method for marketing products, distributing product samples and capturing consumer personal data
US8315733B2 (en) * 2005-06-23 2012-11-20 Hales Jr Walter Apparatus and method for marketing products, distributing product samples and capturing consumer personal data
US20110054673A1 (en) * 2009-08-27 2011-03-03 Utique, Inc. Modular vending with centralized robotic gantry
US8392019B2 (en) * 2009-08-27 2013-03-05 Utique, Inc. Modular vending with centralized robotic gantry
US20130310970A1 (en) * 2009-08-27 2013-11-21 Mara Clair Segal Modular vending with centralized robotic gantry
US9240091B2 (en) * 2009-08-27 2016-01-19 Utique, Inc. Modular vending with centralized robotic gantry
US9443372B2 (en) 2009-08-27 2016-09-13 Utique, Inc. Inventory storage and dispensing mechanism
US20140089077A1 (en) * 2012-09-21 2014-03-27 Coinstar, Inc. Consumer operated kiosks for purchasing fresh foods and associated systems and methods

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NL1009715C2 (nl) 2000-01-25
EP1099198B1 (de) 2005-09-07
ATE304196T1 (de) 2005-09-15
DE69927161D1 (de) 2005-10-13
EP1099198A1 (de) 2001-05-16
WO2000005690A1 (en) 2000-02-03
US20010006693A1 (en) 2001-07-05
DE69927161T2 (de) 2006-07-13

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0714539B1 (de) Verkaufsautomat für warenpackungen
US11174057B2 (en) Method for packaging and processing food products
CN104661515A (zh) 用于产品和/或包装的存储和/或分配的系统
JP5645654B2 (ja) 複数のラックユニット及び搬送室を含む収納ラックにおける収納物の収納方法並びにそのような収納ラック
JP2012515694A (ja) パッケージトレイを搬送するためのオーバーヘッド型のコンベヤシステム
JP2019202856A (ja) ピッキングシステム
JPS631607A (ja) 品物入替装置とその駆動方法
US20040139692A1 (en) Material handling system and method for products manually processed
GB2264293A (en) Shelf servicing apparatus.
US6415951B2 (en) Device and method for selling foodstuffs
CN113825709B (zh) 容器成像设备和方法
EP0700025B1 (de) Verkaufsautomat
JP2005096784A (ja) 鶏卵の選別包装装置
JP2020083510A (ja) ピッキングシステム
CN217690185U (zh) 售货机
JP2852903B2 (ja) 物品供給方法及び装置
US6199722B1 (en) Article providing apparatus capable of being installed in a smaller site
CN107922118A (zh) 拣取装置以及用于操作拣取装置的方法
CN218939021U (zh) 用于贩卖机的储货柜及具有其的贩卖机
JPH06206607A (ja) 物品の取扱い装置
JP4294773B2 (ja) 仕分システム
CN212515973U (zh) 物品输送装置及售卖机
CN220189039U (zh) 餐具输送装置及食品贩售机
JP2903638B2 (ja) 自動販売機の商品取出装置
JP3938084B2 (ja) 物品仕分け設備

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: FOODCORNER INTERNATIONAL B.V., NETHERLANDS

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:DESSING, JACOBUS PETRUS MARIA;DEGRAAT, MATTIJN GODEWIJN;OOSTERLING, PIETER ADRIAAN;REEL/FRAME:011596/0438;SIGNING DATES FROM 20010214 TO 20010221

AS Assignment

Owner name: R.F.A PATENT B.V., NETHERLANDS

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:DIKKER, MR. DRS. J.P.;REEL/FRAME:015991/0660

Effective date: 20050407

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 4

FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: SMALL ENTITY

REMI Maintenance fee reminder mailed
LAPS Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees
STCH Information on status: patent discontinuation

Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362

FP Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee

Effective date: 20100709